_IN THIS CHAPTER,_ (1.) _CHRIST THE ROYAL BRIDEGROOM GOES ON TO DESCRIBE THE BEAUTIES OF HIS SPOUSE, THE CHURCH, IN MANY INSTANCES, AND TO EXPRESS HIS LOVE TO HER, AND THE DELIGHT HE HAS IN HER CONVERSATION,_ SONG OF SOLOMON 7:1. (2.) _THE SPOUSE, THE CHURCH, EXPRESSETH HER GREAT DELIGHT IN HIM, AND... [ Continue Reading ]
HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THY FEET WITH SHOES— Instead of _shoes,_ we might read more properly _sandals._ The word נדיב _nadib,_ here rendered _prince,_ is in Psalms 47:9; Psalms 107:40 used in the plural number to denote the Hebrew chiefs, or rulers of tribes: it is rendered, Isaiah 13:2 by the word _noble... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HEAP OF WHEAT— It was usual with the Jews, when their wheat had been threshed out and fanned, to lay it in heaps, Ruth 3:7. Haggai 2:16 and as their threshing-floors were in the open air, they stuck them round with thorns in order to keep off the cattle, Hosea 2:5. These, as a mark of respect to... [ Continue Reading ]
THINE EYES LIKE THE FISH-POOLS— The author of the New Translation gives us a true idea of the simile here used: _Thine eyes are_ clear and serene as _the pools in Heshbon, by the gate of Beth-rabbim_ [which was one of the gates of Heshbon].... [ Continue Reading ]
THINE HEAD UPON THEE, &C.— _Thine head upon thee_ riseth eminent and majestic, _like Carmel; and the tresses of thy head_ shine _like scarlet._ Michaelis, however, thinks that the word rendered _purple,_ does not here signify the purple colour, but the _murex,_ or Tyrian shell-fish, which produces t... [ Continue Reading ]
CLUSTERS OF GRAPES— _Dates_ are the fruit of the palm-tree. They grow in clusters, and should be read here instead of _grapes._ See Brown's Observations, and the New Translation.... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS DESIRE IS TOWARD ME— _Is fixed upon me._ New Translation. See ch. Song of Solomon 2:16 Song of Solomon 6:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE MANDRAKES GIVE A SMELL— The New Translation renders it in general, _The finest flowers give their fragrance._ See Genesis 30:14. The next clause may be rendered, _And in our hoards are all kinds of delicious fruits, new gathered, as well as old._ The _gates_ in Judges were usually large building... [ Continue Reading ]